Merced Maria Rodriguez

Longtime area resident Merced Maria Rodriguez died peacefully Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013, at Four Corners Healthcare Center in Durango. She was 92.

Mrs. Rodriguez was born Sept. 21, 1920, in Leadville to Reymundo and Adelina Trujillo. The family moved to Ignacio, where she was raised and went to school. In her early years, Mrs. Rodriguez helped on the family farm.

“Didn’t matter if you were a girl, there was work to do on the farm,” said her niece, Carmella Olguin. “You would always find her working outside instead of working in the kitchen.”

Mrs. Rodriguez married her husband, Max, June 1, 1945, in Durango. The couple would go dancing Saturday nights and then have dinner at Denny’s. Mrs. Rodriguez loved to crochet and give her creations as gifts to family and friends. In her later years, she enjoyed the casino in Ignacio and bingo at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She was a devoted churchgoer until her health prevented her from attending services.

Mrs. Rodriguez was preceded in death by her husband, Max Rodriguez.

She is survived by sisters Josefita Herrera of Durango, Mary Martinez of Oxford, Benita Olguin of Tiffany and Ventura Chavez of Farmington; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013, at Sacred Heart. The Rev. Joseph Gallegos will officiate. Burial will be at Greenmount Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her name to Hospice of Mercy, 1 Mercado St., Suite 270, Durango, CO 81301.